Portland fireworks may be delayed again - this time due to Irene

Published 12:00 am, Thursday, August 25, 2011

PORTLAND -- With a hurricane possibly headed for Connecticut, town officials are expected to make a decision Friday whether to hold the annual Portland Fireworks display as scheduled on Saturday.

Weather service officials are continuing to monitor the path and progress of Hurricane Irene as it gains power in the Caribbean.

Initial indications are that Irene, the first named hurricane of the season, will turn north and sweep up the coast, making landfall first in the Carolinas before continuing on a north-by-northeast direction that could bring it close to or even over Connecticut.

If it continues on its current track, Irene is predicted to make landfall in Connecticut sometime on Sunday, she added. But rains from the advancing storm would precede Irene's arrival by several hours, thus possibly jeopardizing the fireworks display -- again.

It is against that uncertain background that Bransfield said officials are weighing their next step.

"On Friday, we'll make the call," Bransfield said.

Officials from both the fireworks committee and the town will inspect the exchange club fairgrounds off Route 17A on Friday, Bransfield said. The fairgrounds are the site of the display. After they inspect the fairgrounds, officials will discuss what should be done.

The field adjoins the Connecticut River and does not drain well after heavy rains of the kind that can accompany a hurricane.

The fireworks were already postponed to Saturday following the torrential rains of July 8, which dumped five-plus inches of rain on the town in less than two hours.

Bransfield said residents can keep track of developments regarding the fireworks display by calling the Parks & Recreation Department hotline at (860) 262-7234.